THE GILMER BUCKEYES are where they wanted to be two weeks into the 2013 season, 2-0 and riding a wave of momentum from two dominant victories at Buckeye Stadium over the Atlanta Rabbits (57-7) and the Plano Prestonwood Christian Academy Lions (66-32).

Coach Jeff Traylor of the Buckeyes went over some of the key players and their accomplishments last Friday night against Prestonwood, a game which got out of the Buckeyes’ system “a year’s worth of frustration,” he commented (an allusion to last year’s 42-12 loss in Plano, the only regular season defeat of 2012).

On defense, Demarco Boyd had four tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. He also caused another fumble.

Ardarius Johnson had eight tackles. John McPherson had seven tackles, one assist and four pressures.

Josh Walker had eight tackles, three assists and five pressures. Darrian Lewis had six tackles and two assists.

On offense, “Of course, Tanner had a great game (as did) Desmond, Chase, Jaidon, Jamel, Kris.”

Tanner Barr was 19-of-29 passing for 398 yards and six touchdowns.

Desmond Pollard caught five of those passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Chase Tate had three receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Jaidon Parrish caught five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Jamel Jackson rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Kris Boyd amassed 134 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries.

The Buckeyes had 694 yards of total offense.

“I thought one of the plays of the game that hasn’t been talked about a lot was Hunter Anderson’s stop on the fake punt,” said Coach Traylor. “That was a huge play in the game.”

This Friday, the Buckeyes will take their high-flying show on the road to Jacksonville, a familiar foe and a former home of several Gilmer coaches.

The Indians, under second-year head coach Chris Taber, return five offensive and three defensive starters from last year’s team which went 4-7 and made the playoffs out of District 16-4A. Only an improbable comeback, the first of several the Buckeyes engineered last year on the way to the state championship game in Arlington, enabled Gilmer to edge out Jacksonville 34-33 this time last year at Buckeye Stadium.

Returning Jacksonville quarterback Carter McCown, related to the three brothers of the same name coached by Jeff Traylor who went on to become successful college and/or professional quarterbacks, is a junior. He was injured the week before the 2012 game against the Buckeyes. His very capable, dual-threat replacement, who nearly presided over an upset of Gilmer last year, D.D. Franklin, has graduated, along with wide receiver Darrell Minifee, who compiled some impressive stats in his three seasons playing against the Buckeyes.

First of all, no one should allow themselves to be deceived or lulled into complacency by Jacksonville’s 0-2 start.

“They lost to a very good team in Carthage (42-28) and a very good team in Palestine (56-35),” said Coach Traylor.

“It starts with their quarterback. They’ve got a great quarterback in Carter McCown (12). He reminds me a lot of Luke (McCown) running around back there — tall, lanky, strong-armed, good athlete, playmaker.”

Stacey Cummings (33) at running back, and Tony Lane (7) and Claude Franklin (2) at wide receivers are the most dangerous offensive threats the Black Flag Defense of the Buckeyes will be trying to contain Friday night.

“Both offensive tackles are pretty good, Curt Landon (62) and Franklin Torres (72). So you can see why they score a lot of points.”

“Defensively, Lakendrick Anderson (47) is a good ball player. So, their record is very deceptive. Carthage and Palestine both have a chance to win the ‘big school’ state championship. Anytime there’s a McCown at quarterback in the Tomato Bowl, they’re going to play pretty hard, I promise you.”

The Indians graduated 30 lettermen, but have a lot of depth this season, Coach Taber told the Jacksonville Daily Progress last month.

Coach Traylor that it would be “very natural” to expect a letdown after the big win over Prestonwood. “We’ve just gotta learn how to handle it.”

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Jacksonville. This will be the longest road trip of the regular season, but it’ll be well worth the drive to witness what will probably be a high-scoring shootout.

Jacksonville, like Gilmer, is celebrating its 100th season of playing football.